News / Events

Solar Power Plant by Aquanova Development LLC in Shalanky, Zakarpatska oblast

Aquanova Development LLC, the existing client of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approached the EBRD for financing the construction of a solar power plant with a capacity of 3.5 MWp near Shalanky village in Vynohradiv District of Zakarpatska Oblast.EBRD has conducted an environmental and social due diligence assessment of the project and supported the development of the environmental and social documentation. Below you will find the non-technical summary (NTS) as well as stakeholder engagement plan (SEP) for the project.

Private company Vita Solar LLC is to construct a PV power plan in Mykolayiv oblast using USELF financing from the EBRD. Below you will find the non-technical summary (NTS) as well as stakeholder engagement plan (SEP) for the project.

Private company Inhulets Energo-2 is to construct a PV power plan in Mykolayiv oblast using USELF financing from the EBRD. Below you will find the non-technical summary (NTS) as well as stakeholder engagement plan (SEP) for the project.

Private company Grin Agro Servis has approached the EBRD for financing of its PV power plant in Rykovo. Below you will find the non-technical summary (NTS) as well as stakeholder engagement plan (SEP) for the project.

Private company Ekotechnik Shyroke has approached the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for financing the construction of a solar power plant with a capacity of 6,97 MW near Shestirnya village, Shyrokivskiy district, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

EBRD has conducted an environmental and social due diligence assessment of the project and supported the development of the environmental and social documentation, namely, an Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP), a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), and the Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the environmental and social considerations.

In March 2018, USELF received the 200th application for a renewable energy project. This is a 30 MW solar project in Southern Ukraine. We have started the review process and are looking forward to even more solar generation capacities in the Ukraine! Since the commencement of USELF in October 2010, the program has received 200 project applications for renewable energy projects, which all went through the initial screening process. A number of these projects has been selected for the financing by the EBRD and the Clean Technology Fund. By the end of March 2018, the combined amount of the signed loans comprises EUR136.65mn. The total 13 renewable projects include 2 small water projects, 2 wind projects, 3 biomass/biogas projects as well as 6 solar projects and have a total capacity of 148.6 MW. Implementation of the renewable energy projects contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions and has positive influence on the employment situation in the Ukraine. Further 8 projects remain in the active project pipeline of the USELF and will be reviewed by the end of June 2018.

THE EBRD FINANCES THREE NEW SOLAR PLANTS IN VINNYTSA REGION

The EBRD and the Clean Technology Fund provide the financing for a group of private Ukrainian companies KNESS (KNESS Group) for the construction of three solar photovoltaic power plants in Vinnytsa region of Ukraine in the frame of the USELF activity. The loan agreement was signed on 02.03.2018.

The project developer, KNESS Group, is a Ukrainian privately-owned company, who has been engaged in the design, construction and operation of solar power plants across the country. Now, KNESS Group has commissioned a number of solar plants with total capacity of 157 MW.

The projects are located: in the northern part of Dashiv village, to the north-west of Petrashivka village in Tulchyn district at 3 km and the eastern part of Pohrebyshche town. Three projects - Dashiv SPP (10.86 MW), Petrashivka SPP (11.41 MW) and Pohrebyshche SPP (11.5 MW) – will install 125,092 photovoltaic modules, which will provide approximately 39,000 megawatt-hours of gross electricity generated per year. Electricity will be sold to the grid at the “green tariff”.

By employing the renewable solar power, the project will provide significant environmental benefits over other types of energy generation, such as those using fossil fuels (gas, coal) or nuclear. It will contribute to the reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases (expected annual emission reductions are about 30,000 tons of carbon dioxide), create new jobs, and improve the security of energy supply in the area.

JULIEN MAUDIT PRESENTS AT THE UKRAINIAN ENERGY FORUM

The International Ukrainian Energy Forum took place at the Intercontinental Hotel, Kiev on 27 February - 1 March 2018. Forum has had a 3-day program with a high level of government participation from Ukraine as well as contributions from senior European Union officials.

The top issues discussed at the Forum have included energy market reforms in Ukraine and integration into European Energy systems; new energy market strategy; development of energy infrastructure and storage; power generation sector (reform, liberalization, integration into the European grid system) as well as new ideas, new investors, new projects within the renewable energy sector.

Mr Julien Mauduit, Senior Banker and Head of Central and Eastern Europe at the Power & Energy Utilities Unit of the EBRD, has presented the activities of the EBRD in the field of the power sector and the renewable energies in the Ukraine. The EBRD is the largest financial investor in the country and within the energy sector. The EBRD’s focus areas include financing of bankable projects with potential to attract private inventors, improving the framework conditions for the investors, supporting policy dialogue in the energy sector as well as supporting corporate governance reform of the state clients. In the sector of renewable energies, the EBRD has invested in 5 solar projects (EUR 43m, 56 MW capacity); 3 wind projects (EUR 44m, 69 MW capacity) and 3 biomass projects (EUR 27m, 22 MW capacity). All these investments have been selected and evaluated under the framework of the Ukraine Sustainable Energy Lending Facility (USELF).

The EBRD and the Clean Technology Fund are financing a new 36 MW solar plant – Energopark Yavoriv LLC – in the frame of the USELF activity. The loan agreement was signed on February 2, 2018 in Lviv.

The solar plant with the total area of 115 ha is located in Ternovytsa village of Yavoriv district (Lviv region), about 30 km east of the border with Poland. The land plot is a waste backfill from the former Yavoriv Chemical Plant. The project will install 131,000 photovoltaic modules, which will provide an installed peak capacity of 36 MW, and approximately 36,000 megawatt-hours of gross electricity generated per year. The plant will be connected to the distribution grid by means of a 3.1 km long underground transmission cable connected to the existing substation “Yavoriv” owned by Ukrenergo. Electricity will be sold to the grid at the “green tariff”.

By employing the renewable solar power, the project will provide significant environmental benefits over other types of energy generation, such as those using fossils fuels (gas, coal) or nuclear. It will contribute to the reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases (expected annual emission reductions are 30,000 tons of carbon dioxide), create some temporary jobs, and improve the security of energy supply in the area.

The 36 MW Yavoriv solar project is the first stage of a larger project with total capacity of 72 MW. The second stage of the project shall be constructed on the same land plot following the commissioning of the first stage.

KNESS Solar Project - Non-technical Summary

Group of private Ukrainian companies KNESS (KNESS Group) has approached the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for financing the construction of three solar photovoltaic power plants in Vinnytsa Oblast of Ukraine: Dashiv SPP (10.86 MW), Petrashivka SPP (11.41 MW) and Pohrebyshche SPP (11.5 MW).

EBRD has conducted an environmental and social due diligence assessment of the project and supported the development of the environmental and social documentation, namely, an Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP), a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), and the Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the environmental and social considerations.

Private company ”Energopark Yavoriv” has approached the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for financing the construction of a solar photovoltaic power plant with the installed capacity of 36 MW near Ternovytsa village, Yavoriv district, Lviv Oblast of Ukraine.

EBRD has conducted an environmental and social due diligence assessment of the project and supported the development of the environmental and social documentation, namely, an Environmental and Social Action Plan, a Stakeholder Engagement Plan, and the Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the environmental and social considerations.

The present document provides an overview of the proposed development plans in a non-technical manner, a summary of potential environmental and social impacts, and appropriate measures to mitigate key adverse environmental and social effects.

On October 26th 2017 the “Staryi Sambir 2” wind farm owned by Private Company “Karpatsky Wind” (Eco-Optima Group of Companies) has been officially commissioned in Staryi Sambir, Lviv region.

The wind farm with a total installed capacity of 20.7 MW consists of six Vestas wind turbines with a generating capacity of 3.45 MW each. The expected annual electricity production is about 56 million kilowatt-hours.

Electricity generated by the “Staryi Sambir 2” wind farm is transmitted via the 35 kV power transmission line to the 110/35/10 kV substation owned by Lviv Railway and sold to Energorynok at the “green” tariff.

The “Staryi Sambir 2” project is implemented by Private Company “Karpatsky Wind” together with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Clean Technology Fund (CTF), Investment fund for developing countries (IFU) and Nordic Environment Finance Corporation (NEFCO) within the framework of USELF Programme. The total investment volume is 34 million Euros.

The second phase of Staryi Sambir 1 Wind Farm financed by the EBRD has been commissioned in Lviv Region

On 7th October 2016 the second phase of wind farm “Staryi Sambir 1” owned by private Company “Eco-Optima” has been officially commissioned in Staryi Sambir region of Western Ukraine. The first phase has become operational already in February 2016, when the first two turbines made by Danish producer Vestas have been connected to Ukraine’s unified energy system.

The wind farm with a total installed capacity of 13.2 MW currently consists of four wind turbines V 112 with a generating capacity of 3.3 MW each. The height of wind turbines is 119 m, rotor diameter is 112 m. The operating range of wind speed is 3-25 m/sec.

After commissioning the second phase the expected annual electricity generation of “Staryi Sambir 1” will be 32 million kilowatt-hours. Electricity generated by wind farm will be transmitted by means of 35 kV cable lines to the 110/35/10 kV substation owned by Lviv Railway and sold to Energorynok at the “green” tariff.

The project will also contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The wind farm should bring a total annual reduction in carbon emissions of about 27,000 tons.

The “Staryi Sambir 1” project is implemented by Private Company “Eco-Optima” together with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Clean Technology Fund within the framework of USELF Programme. The total investment volume is 20.5 million Euros.

The private company Rengy Sarata LLC has approached the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for financing the construction of a solar power plant with a capacity of

9.5 MW near Shargorod city, Shargorod district, Vinnitsa Oblast. EBRD has conducted an environmental and social due diligence assessment of the project and supported the development of the environmental and social documentation, namely, an Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP), a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), and the Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the environmental and social considerations.

The NTS provides an overview of the proposed development plans in a non-technical manner, a summary of potential environmental and social impacts, and appropriate measures to mitigate key adverse environmental and social effects.

Private company Hydropower LLC has approached the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for financing the construction of a small hydropower plant with the designed total capacity of 999 kW at Chechva River in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast of Ukraine.

EBRD has conducted an environmental and social due diligence assessment of the project and supported the development of applicable environmental and social documentation, namely an Environmental and Social Action Plan, a Stakeholder Engagement Plan, and this Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the environmental and social considerations.

This document provides an overview of the proposed development plans in a non-technical manner, a summary of potential environmental and social impacts, and appropriate measures to mitigate key adverse environmental and social effects.

Private company Aquanova Development LLC has approached the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for financing the construction of Aquanova’s small hydro power plant Nyzhniy Bystryi with a planned generation capacity of 2 MW located on the Rika River, in the Khust District of the Zakarpattya Oblast. EBRD has conducted an environmental and social due diligence assessment of the project and supported the development of applicable environmental and social documentation, namely, an Environmental and Social Action Plan, a Stakeholder Engagement Plan, and this Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the environmental and social considerations.

This document provides an overview of the proposed development plans in a non-technical manner, a summary of potential environmental and social impacts, and appropriate measures to mitigate key adverse environmental and social effects.

The private company Karpatskiy Wind LLC has approached the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for financing the construction of a wind power plant with a capacity of 20.7 MW in Staryi Sambir town, Lviv region. EBRD has conducted an environmental and social due diligence assessment of the project and supported the development of the environmental and social documentation, namely, an Environmental and Social Action Plan, a Stakeholder Engagement Plan, and the Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the environmental and social considerations.

The NTS provides an overview of the proposed development plans in a non-technical manner, a summary of potential environmental and social impacts, and appropriate measures to mitigate key adverse environmental and social effects.

02.07.2014 The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is organizing a financing programme of up to €7.1 million to construct and bring into operation a 2.25 MW biogas plant, adjacent to Rokytne sugar mill in the Kiev region. The plant, which will be the largest facility of this type in the country, will generate electricity to be sold to the national grid at the agreed “green” tariff.

Through this project the Bank will continue to promote renewable energy generation in Ukraine, which is increasingly important for the country’s energy security. The financing package arranged by the Bank includes a 10-year EBRD loan of up to €5.07 million and a 15-year loan of up to €2.03 million from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF).

The financing for the Rokytne biogas project is part of the Ukraine Sustainable Energy Lending Facility (USELF) – an investment facility of €140 million (€100 million from the EBRD and €40 million from the CTF) designed to provide finance to private local enterprises wishing to invest in small renewable energy projects in Ukraine. The strategic environmental assessment for the Rokytne project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

The CTF was established in 2008 to provide middle-income countries with support for the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies that have high potential for minimizing greenhouse gas emissions in the long term. The CTF already finances programmes in 15 countries and one region. It is the largest multilateral climate finance instrument in operation.

The deal is part of the EBRD’s operational response in Ukraine aimed at supporting the real sector of the domestic economy. The Bank expects to be able to invest around €1 billion a year in the country, with the annual level of investment since February 2014 now standing at over €500 million.

The EBRD is the largest financial investor in Ukraine. As of 1 May 2014 the Bank had committed €8.4 billion (US$ 11.5 billion) through 327 projects in the country.

Additional €70 million support for the Ukraine Sustainable Energy Lending Facility

27.06.2014 The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has launched Phase II of the Ukraine Sustainable Energy Lending Facility (USELF) designed to promote renewable energy generation in Ukraine, which is increasingly important for the country’s energy security. Additional funds of €70 million from the EBRD and the Clean Technologies Fund (CTF) will bring total amount of the investment facility to €140 million.

Following strong market demand to the USELF funding, both the EBRD and the CTF have decided to double their original contributions of €70 million made in 2009. The Facility will continue providing loans for projects in small hydropower, wind, solar, biomass and biogas sectors to generate electricity to be sold to the national grid at the agreed “green” tariff. In addition to the financial support, the USELF will again provide free technical assistance, provided by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) towards projects’ development.

In the context of the Facility the first non-recourse finance for a small-scale renewable energy project in Ukraine took place.

The USELF has strengthened business environment for private sector renewable energy through policy dialogue, institutional capacity building, and projects preparation.

As of today, eight renewable energy projects have been supported through USELF. These include biogas, biomass, small hydro, wind or solar energy projects. Three of the projects have already been commissioned.

USELF Phase II, which has a strong pipeline of projects and a life span of up to 3 years, will continue strengthening sustainability of the renewables sector in Ukraine. This is especially important due to the limited availability of funding for such projects from private banks.

The USELF replicates a well-established EBRD model, which already in place in other countries of Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus.

The EBRD is the largest financial investor in Ukraine. As of 1 May 2014 the Bank had committed €8.4 billion (US$ 11.5 billion) through 327 projects in the country.

In Kiev took place the official Launch Event for USELF-2

27.06.2014 On June 27, Phase II of the Ukraine Sustainable Energy Lending Facility (USELF) was officially launched. USELF-2, as it is called, comprises a replenishment of the Facility by another Euro 70 million, which brings total available loan amount for renewable energy projects under the EBRD managed Facility to Euro 140 million. The event was attended by more than 90 representatives from Ukrainian and international developers, investors, consultants, organizations, associations, experts and international renewable energy market players.

The event was opened with a welcome address by Dr. Sergey Maslichenko, Energy Efficiency and Climate Change Department, EBRD, who informed about the objectives and actual achievements of the first phase of USELF, which was implemented from autumn 2010 to April 2014, and elaborated on the overall approach of EBRD for the power sector in Ukraine, focusing on renewable energy and more recently energy efficiency improvement.

Olga Yeriomina, representatives of Power & Energy Utilities Department, EBRD, informed the participants about the framework and tasks of USELF-2 Project.

Tino Mahler, Team Leader of USELF-2, Fichtner GmbH&Co KG, gave an overview of the processes and procedures for project application and appraisal for USELF-2, and highlighted some key figures and indicators from the first phase of the Project, USELF-1.

Aleksey Romanov, USELF Senior Financial Expert, IMEPOWER, in his presentation summarized three and a half years of experience of USELF Program and the lessons learnt during this process in order to provide some indications for developers’s future activities for preparing their project and receiving EBRD financing.

Zinoviy Kozytskyi, investor of “Eco-Optima” wind project, shared the Company’s experience gained in the course of several projects implementation related to the construction of alternative energy facilities in the Carpathian region of Ukraine.

Dr. Peter Pintz, representative of Fichtner GmbH & Co KG, presented the “Developers’ Manual”, which was prepared by the USELF Team. The Manual in Ukrainian and English languages is designed for distribution among Ukrainian and foreign developers interested in investing in the renewable energy sector in Ukraine.

A press-conference with broad participation of mass-media was held during the event.

Presentations were highly appreciated by the audience. A wide range of questions related to further activities within USELF-2 project framework were answered by the EBRD and USELF representatives during the discussion that followed.

23.06.2014 Making a profitable investment while contributing to environmental protection is a goal to which many entrepreneurs in EBRD countries aspire. But too often their business plans are hampered by a lack of finance, technological know-how and appropriate regulatory framework.

In Ukraine, for example, imported fossil fuels dominate the power market, leaving behind a heavy carbon footprint. Producing a unit of GDP here requires almost four times more energy than the EU average.

To counteract this, the EBRD supports the country’s carbon offsetting through its Ukraine Sustainable Energy Lending Facility (USELF). It is a credit programme worth €140 million, available for small and medium-sized renewable energy projects ranging from hydro, wind, biomass and biogas to solar energy ventures.

Among the entrepreneurs who have translated ‘green’ business plans into reality thanks to USELF is Narek Haryutyunan, the young Managing Director of Rengy Development. His company installed a solar power plant near the village of Porogy, in south-western Ukraine.

“This plant can power over 2,100 households. The emissions savings are the equivalent of taking 2,000 cars off the road,” said Mr. Haryutyunan, a pioneer in the country’s renewable energy market.

“This was one of the first solar energy projects in Ukraine. When we started there was no expert advice, let alone bank funding. The EBRD provided both.”

The USELF, part-financed by the EBRD (€100 million), is co-financed by the Climate Investment Funds’ Clean Technology Fund (€40 million), as well as by the Global Environment Facility which paid for the technical assistance and policy dialogue components of the programme. Sponsors provide equity for their projects.

“The consultants helped us assess the impact that we could have on the environment and the community,” explained Mr Haryutyunan. His 200 high-tech photovoltaic panels lie discreetly on a hillside, blending in with the surrounding environment and causing no disturbance to local life.

“USELF’s support programme is opening up the market and improving national regulations for renewable energy,” said EBRD Senior Manager, Sergiy Maslichenko.

“For example, we helped draft the primary legislation, including the green tariff law that ensures the state will buy, at a preferential tariff, all renewable energy produced by private developers.”

This evolution has not gone unnoticed by investors like Mr. Haryutyunan. “In recent years we have seen growth in the solar energy market and we have grown with it. Based on our initial success, we were able to construct four more facilities.”

In response to rising demand, and boosted by a track record of seven projects, USELF has been extended. Its investment pipeline is rapidly building-up. “Given the size of Ukraine’s agricultural sector there is great potential for biomass and biogas projects, but also solar, thanks to good levels of sunlight,” commented Mr. Maslichenko.

Private company LLC Rokytne Sugar Mill has approached the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for financing Rokytne’s biogas power plant project with a planned generation capacity of 2.25 MW located some 80 km south of Kyiv. EBRD has conducted an environmental and social due diligence assessment of the project and supported the development of applicable environ-mental and social documentation, namely, an Environmental and Social Action Plan, a Stakeholder Engagement Plan, and this Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the environmental and social considerations.

This document provides an overview of the proposed development plans in a non-technical manner, a summary of potential environmental and social impacts, and appropriate measures to mitigate key adverse environmental and social effects.

USELF was initially approved in 2009 for up to €100 million. The Facility consisted of €50 million in EBRD commercial financing, €20 million in climate finance from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) and €30 million of sponsor equity. This was supported by technical assistance (TA) of US$ 8.45 million (€6.62 million equivalent) from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). USELF has combined effective policy dialogue and financing support for the nascent renewable energy sector in Ukraine, supporting the efforts of the Ukrainian government to reduce the country’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.

The Facility marked the first implementation of non-recourse finance or project finance in Ukraine for smaller-scale renewable energy projects, further supported in a fully-integrated package by policy dialogue, institutional capacity building, and project preparation. These support activities were essential to the success of USELF and would not have been possible without generous contributions from the CTF and GEF. Through these activities USELF has strengthened the business environment for private sector renewable energy, and fostered the development of related projects.

After a slow start due to the under-developed nature of the country’s renewable energy sector, the Facility has now signed seven renewable energy projects. These use biogas, biomass, small hydro, wind, or solar energy to generate heat and power.

USELF has almost fully committed its initial allocation, and an extension request will enable full use of the USELF funds within the first half of 2014. With a robust project pipeline remaining, and ongoing weakness in the commercial financing sector for renewable energy, a Phase II replenishment is now sought for launch in early 2014. Using further leverage from this replenishment, USELF should continue strengthening the long-term sustainability of the sector by providing financing for another 24-36 months.

EBRD CHANNELS €15.5 MILLION TO SUPPORT MAJOR BIOMASS PROJECT IN UKRAINE

New power plant will produce over 120,000 MWh of clean energy and create new jobs

09.10.2013 The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supporting new projects for alternative power generation in Ukraine aimed at diversifying the country’s power supply and improving its energy security. The latest of these projects will involve the development, construction and operation of an 18MW wood chip-fired power plant in the town of Ivankiv in Kiev oblast. The biomass facility should become fully operational by the middle of 2014.

The new plant, which will process annually around 210,000 tonnes of firewood, reject wood and residual biomass from forest management, will generate over 121,000 MWh of electricity. It will be sold to the national grid at the agreed “green” tariff.

The EBRD’s new client Biogasenergo, a subsidiary of Ukraine’s EIG Engineering, will supply power to households in Ivankiv and also create over two hundred new jobs in the rural area, which has a high rate of unemployment.

Implementation of this biomass project – the first stage of which was voted “the best green investment of 2012” by the national “Green Awards Ukraine 2012” competition – will mark the beginning of a large-scale investment programme by EIG Engineering. Following a successful programme inception, supported by the EBRD, the company plans to develop up to five similar biomass-fired power plants with an aggregate capacity of 50MW, all of them in regions of northern Ukraine that are rich in wood waste.

The biomass project is financed by the EBRD’s Ukraine Sustainable Energy Lending Facility (USELF), an investment programme of €70 million – €50 million from the EBRD and €20 million from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) – designed to provide finance to private local enterprises that wish to invest in renewable energy projects in Ukraine. Technical assistance for project preparation and for regulatory and environmental assessment is funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF).

In 2008 the CTF was established to support middle-income countries with their adoption of renewable and energy efficiency technologies that have high potential to minimise long-term greenhouse gas emissions. The fund already finances programmes in 15 countries and one region, and is the largest multilateral climate-finance instrument in operation.

The EBRD is the largest financial investor in Ukraine. As of 1 August 2013 the Bank had committed over €8.55 billion (US$ 11.4 billion) across 327 projects in Ukraine.

24.09.2013 The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is actively pursuing its strategy of making renewable power generation in Ukraine a reliable source of energy supply. The Bank is providing a financing package of € 5.4 million to Teplodar PiVi LLC in the Odessa region for the development, construction and operation of a 4.2 MW solar power plant. The financing arranged by the Bank will include an 8-year EBRD loan of €3.9 million and a 15-year loan of €1.5 million from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF).

Upon completion, the solar power plant will be connected to the grid and will benefit from Ukraine’s green tariff law, under which the government guarantees the purchase at a fixed rate until 2030 of all electricity produced by local renewable power plants.

The new solar energy project is part of the EBRD Ukraine Sustainable Energy Lending Facility (USELF) an investment programme of €70 million (€50 million from the EBRD and €20 million from the CTF) designed to provide finance to private local enterprises wishing to invest in renewable energy projects in Ukraine. Technical assistance for project preparation and for regulatory and environmental assessment is funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF).

The CTF was established in 2008 to support middle-income countries with their adoption of renewable and energy efficiency technologies that have high potential to minimise long-term greenhouse gas emissions. The fund already finances programmes in 15 countries and one region, and is the largest multilateral climate-finance instrument in operation.

The EBRD is the largest financial investor in Ukraine. As of 1 August 2013 the Bank had committed over €8.55 billion (US$ 11.4 billion) across 327 projects in Ukraine.

06.06.2013 The EBRD is organising a financing facility of up to €4.2 million to construct and put into operation a 1.5MW biogas plant at the privately owned agribusiness company Ecoprod, located in the Donetsk region, in eastern Ukraine.

The investment is a continuation of the Bank’s drive to promote renewable energy projects in Ukraine, which still relies heavily on imported fuel while its own energy-generating capacities are ageing and highly polluting. The financing package arranged by the Bank will include a seven-year EBRD loan of €3.1 million and a 15-year loan of €1.1 million from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF).

Ecoprod will develop, construct and operate a biogas plant, which will produce 5.8 million cubic metres of biogas a year to be used for the generation of 9,900 MWh of electricity. It will be one of the first biogas plants in the country to sell generated electricity to the grid.

This project is part of the Ukraine Sustainable Energy Lending Facility (USELF) – an investment facility of €70 million (€50 million from the EBRD and €20 million from the CTF) designed to provide finance to private local enterprises wishing to invest in renewable energy projects in Ukraine. Technical assistance on projects preparation, regulatory framework development and strategic environmental review is funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF).

The CTF was established in 2008 to provide middle-income countries with support to adopt renewable and energy efficiency technologies that have high potential for minimizing long-term greenhouse gas emissions. The CTF already finances programmes in 15 countries and one region, and is the largest multilateral climate finance instrument in operation.

The EBRD is the largest financial investor in Ukraine. As of 31 March 2013 the Bank had committed over €8.63 billion (US$ 11 billion) through 337 projects in Ukraine.

Private company Biogasenergo LLC has approached the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for financing the project of Biogasenergo’s biomass power plant construction in Kyiv Oblast of Ukraine. EBRD has conducted an environmental and social due diligence assessment of the project and supported the development of applicable environmental and social documentation, namely, an Environmental and Social Action Plan, a Stakeholder Engagement Plan, and this Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the environmental and social considerations.

This document provides an overview of the proposed development plans in a non-technical manner, a summary of potential environmental and social impacts, and appropriate measures to mitigate key adverse environmental and social effects.

In Kiev took place the 7th USELF Training Workshop for Ukrainian banks

On May 29, 2013, the 7th USELF Training Workshop for the representatives of Ukrainian banks «EBRD/USELF: Development and financing of renewable energy – an example for local banks?” took place.

The workshop was attended by about 20 representatives of Ukrainian and foreign banks, investment funds and asset management companies.

The workshop was opened with welcome address and presentation by Dr. Sergey Maslichenko, Senior Manager at EBRD Energy Efficiency and Climate Change Department «EBRD financing of renewable energy projects: experience and opportunities».

Alexey Romanov, USELF Senior Financial Expert, IMEPOWER Consulting, in his presentation characterized the current status and development prospects of the renewable energy sector in Ukraine.

Tino Mahler, USELF Senior Renewable Energy Specialist, Fichtner GmbH&Co KG, in his presentation made the overview of renewable energy technologies and informed about performance indicators of these technologies.

Narek Harutyunyan, Managing Director of Rengy Development, through the example of the implemented by Rengy Development project of solar power plant construction and operation near Porogi village, Vinnitsa region, showed the practical implementability of solar projects in Ukraine.

Emma Height, Vice President of NIBC Bank N.V., London, Department of Infrastructure and Renewable Energy, in her presentation informed about the assessment and financing of renewable energy projects by western banks.

Presentations, which summarized 2,5 - year experience of USELF Program, were highly appreciated by the audience. A wide range of questions related to the problems of the assessment and financing of renewable energy projects were answered by the EBRD and USELF representatives during the discussion that followed.

25.04.2013 The EBRD continues promoting and supporting renewable energy projects in Ukraine aimed at reducing the environmental impact of traditional power generation. Renewable energy is yet to establish itself as a major contributor to Ukraine’s energy security but it is starting to play a greater role in its sustainable energy supply.

The latest renewable energy project supported by the Bank foresees the development, construction and operation of a 5MW solar plant, operated by a local company Rengy Tomashpil, in the Vinnitsya region of south Ukraine. The financing package arranged by the Bank will include a 6-year EBRD loan of €3.8 million and a 10-year loan of €1.8 million from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF).

The new solar energy project is part of the EBRD Ukraine Sustainable Energy Lending Facility (USELF) an investment facility of €70 million (€50 million from the EBRD and €20 million from the CTF) designed to provide finance to private local enterprises wishing to invest in renewable energy projects in Ukraine. Technical assistance on projects preparation, regulatory framework development and strategic environmental review is funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF).

The CTF was established in 2008 to provide middle-income countries with support to adopt renewable and energy efficiency technologies that have high potential for minimising long-term greenhouse gas emissions. The CTF already finances programmes in 15 countries and one region, and is the largest multilateral climate finance instrument in operation.

The EBRD is the largest financial investor in Ukraine. As of 31 March 2013 the Bank had committed over EUR 8.63 billion (USD 11 billion) through 337 projects in Ukraine.

Private company Teplodar PV LLC has approached the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for financing the project of Teplodar solar power plant construction in Odessa Oblast of Ukraine. EBRD has conducted an environmental and social due diligence assessment of the project and supported the development of applicable environmental and social documentation, namely, an Environmental and Social Action Plan, a Stakeholder Engagement Plan, and this Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the environmental and social considerations.

This document provides an overview of the proposed development plans in a non-technical manner, a summary of potential environmental and social impacts, and appropriate measures to mitigate key adverse environmental and social effects.

Private company Ecoprod has approached the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for financing the project of Ecoprod’s biogas plant construction in Donetsk Oblast of Ukraine. EBRD has conducted an environmental and social due diligence assessment of the project and supported the development of applicable environmental and social documentation, namely, an Environmental and Social Action Plan, a Stakeholder Engagement Plan, and this Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the environmental and social considerations.

This document provides an overview of the proposed development plans in a non-technical manner, a summary of potential environmental and social impacts, and appropriate measures to mitigate key adverse environmental and social effects.

Private company Rengy Tomashpil has approached the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for financing the project of Gnatkov solar power plant construction in Vinnitsa Oblast of Ukraine. EBRD has conducted an environmental and social due diligence assessment of the project and supported the development of applicable environmental and social documentation, namely, an Environmental and Social Action Plan, a Stakeholder Engagement Plan, and this Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the environmental and social considerations.

This document provides an overview of the proposed development plans in a non-technical manner, a summary of potential environmental and social impacts, and appropriate measures to mitigate key adverse environmental and social effects.

FIRST PROJECT FINANCED UNDER EBRD’S USELF PROGRAMME HAS BEEN COMMISSIONED

The 4.5 MW solar plant owned by local company Green Agro Service LLC and financed with funds from the USELF programme has been successful commissioned. The National Electricity Regulatory Commission of Ukraine NERC adopted the order on green tariff for the plant on 27th December 2012. The PPA with SE Energorynok was signed on 29th January 2013 and approved by NERC on 31st January 2013. Electricity supply to the grid started beginning of February 2013.

On October 17, the 6th Training Workshop “EBRD/USELF: Two years of development and financing of renewable energy projects in Ukraine” took place in the framework of the 4th International Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Forum REF-2012.

The event was attended by more than 90 representatives of Ukrainian and international developers, investors, consultants, institutions, organisations, associations and renewable energy market players and experts.

The workshop was opened with the presentations “Working with EBRD on Renewable Energy: Experience and Opportunities” held by Dr. Sergiy Maslichenko, Senior Manager at EBRD Energy Efficiency and Climate Change Department, and “Overview of Ukraine Sustainable Energy Lending Facility” held by Dr. Peter Pintz, USELF Project Director, Fichtner GmbH & Co KG.

Dr. Olena Borysova, Program Manager, EBRD, informed the audience in her presentation “Environmental and social assessment: Comparative evaluation of EBRD and Ukrainian legislation requirements” about EBRD requirements related to environmental and social aspects when implementing renewable energy projects in Ukraine.

The audience highly appreciated the presentations which summarized the experience gained during the two years’ work under the USELF programme. A wide range of questions related to the problems of renewable energy projects preparation, implementation, commissioning and operation, were answered by the EBRD and USELF representatives during the discussion that followed.

€5.7 million financing programme to support Ukrainian renewable energy sector

The EBRD is actively promoting the use of renewable energy in Ukraine in order to reduce the country’s dependence on imported fossil fuel and to improve its energy security. The latest initiative of the Bank, which is aimed at solar power generation in one of the most energy intensive countries in the region, will help reduce the environmental impact of the traditional energy sector in Ukraine.

The EBRD is arranging a financing package of €5.7 million for the development, construction and operation of a 4.5MW solar plant owned by a local company Green Agro Service LLC, which will be located in the Vinnitsya region of south Ukraine. This first ever solar project to be financed by the Bank in the region will provide funding in two parallel tranches: an 8-year EBRD loan of €4.1 million and a 15-year loan of €1.6 million from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF).

The project is a part of the EBRD Ukraine Sustainable Energy Lending Facility (USELF) an investment facility of €70 million (€50 million from the EBRD and €20 million from the CTF) designed to provide finance to private local enterprises wishing to invest in renewable energy projects in Ukraine. Technical assistance on projects preparation, regulatory framework development and strategic environmental review is funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF).

“The Bank has already invested over €1.3 billion in sustainable energy projects in Ukraine and it remains committed to the development of the renewable energy sector in this country. This first ever solar project financed by the EBRD should pave the way for more similar projects in Ukraine and elsewhere in the region”, said André Küüsvek, EBRD Country Director for Ukraine.

“This is our first solar energy project in cooperation with the EBRD and it marks a significant step for our company. What is more noteworthy though, is that Ukraine has become the first country to attract EBRD financing for the solar energy sector and we hope the country will continue its support for the renewables and be open for foreign investment in this important field”, commented Narek Harutyunyan, Managing Director of project developer Rengy Development.

“USELF is a unique framework which assists the government of Ukraine on the development of renewable energy legislation, helps local developers to prepare bankable projects and provides long-term financing to implement those projects. By linking together CTF soft loans, the GEF grant and the EBRD commercial financing we can make a difference in this new yet difficult market in Ukraine”, said Sergiy Maslichenko, Senior Manager at EBRD Energy Efficiency and Climate Change Department.

The CTF was established in 2008 to provide middle-income countries with support to adopt renewable and energy efficiency technologies that have a high potential for minimizing long-term greenhouse gas emissions. The CTF already finances programmes in 15 countries and one region, and is the largest multilateral climate finance instrument in operation.

The EBRD is the largest financial investor in Ukraine. As of the end of August 2012, the Bank had committed over €8 billion (US$ 10 billion) through 320 projects.

Green Agro Service LLC has approached the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for financing construction of Porogi Solar power plant in Yampil district, Vinnitsa Oblast of Ukraine. EBRD has conducted an environmental and social due diligence assessment of the project and supported the development of applicable environmental and social documentation, namely, an Environmental and Social Action Plan, a Stakeholder Engagement Plan, and this Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the environmental and social considerations.

This document provides an overview of the proposed development plans in a non-technical manner; a summary of potential environmental and social impacts, and appropriate measures to mitigate key adverse environmental and social effects.

Private company Hydropower LLC has approached the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for financing the construction of two small hydropower plants at White Cheremosh River in the village of Goloshyna, Verkhovina District, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast of Ukraine. EBRD has conducted an environmental and social due diligence assessment of the project and supported the development of applicable environmental and social documentation, namely, an Environmental and Social Action Plan, a Stakeholder Engagement Plan, and this Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the environmental and social considerations.

This document provides an overview of the proposed development plans in a non-technical manner; a summary of potential environmental and social impacts, and appropriate measures to mitigate key adverse environmental and social effects.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is making its first ever investment into wind power generation in Ukraine by organising a €13.3 million financing package to Eco-Optima, a Ukrainian-Italian joint venture company, which will operate a wind farm in Staryy Sambir region of western Ukraine. The loan will consist of two parallel tranches: a 10-year EBRD loan of €9.5 million and a 15-year loan of €3.8 million from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF).

The loan proceeds will be used to construct and operate a wind farm with a total capacity of 12.5 MW. It will consist of 5 wind turbines and is expected to generate at least 25.5 GWh every year. The project will improve the quality and reliability of power supply in the Lviv region and will secure electricity supply to more than 10,000 households. The wind farm, which will be operational by the end 2012, should bring total annual reduction in carbon emissions to about 26,000 tonnes.

This is the first project to receive funding under the EBRD’s Ukrainian Sustainable Energy Lending Facility (USELF), an investment facility of €70 million (€50 million from EBRD and €20 million from the CTF) designed to provide finance to private local enterprises wishing to invest in renewable energy projects in Ukraine. Technical assistance on projects preparation, regulatory framework development and strategic environmental review is funded by the Global Environmental Facility. It helped the Ukrainian authorities introduce necessary regulatory changes to make renewable energy projects commercially viable and attractive for investors.

Olivier Descamps, EBRD Managing Director for Turkey, Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Central Asia, said: “Ukraine has a great potential in developing renewable energy generation and this project is our contribution to this good cause. We are committed to support the development of wind, solar, small hydro and biomass energy projects in Ukraine through our own funds and by providing technical assistance to them”.

Maxim Kozytskyy, Eco-Optima Director, added: “We appreciate EBRD’s catalyst role in the Ukrainian renewable energy sector. Our project was made possible thanks to the USELF programme which combined both the EBRD and the CTF financing as well as consultants’ support”.

CTF was established to provide developing countries with positive incentives to adopt technologies that have a high potential for minimising long-term greenhouse gas emissions. The CTF finances programmes in 12 countries and one region.

The EBRD’s Sustainable Energy Initiative (SEI) was launched in 2006 to address the challenges of energy efficiency and climate change. In an attempt to make Ukraine more energy efficient and energy independent, the Bank has already invested €1.3 billion in 60 sustainable energy projects for the total value of almost € 6 billion.

The EBRD is the largest financial investor in Ukraine. To date, the Bank has committed over €7.4 billion (US$ 9.76 billion) through 293 projects.

Private company Eco-Optima has approached the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for financing the project of Stary Sambir wind power farm construction in Lviv Oblast of Ukraine. The project is thus subject to EBRD’s 2008 Environmental and Social Policy and has been determined as a Category B project. EBRD has conducted an environmental and social due diligence assessment of the project and supported the development of applicable environmental and social documentation, namely, an Environmental and Social Action Plan, a Stakeholder Engagement Plan, and this Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the environmental and social considerations.

This document provides an overview of the proposed development plans in a non-technical manner ; a summary of potential environmental and social impacts , and appropriate measures to mitigate key adverse environmental and social effects.

On February 9, the 5th USELF Training workshop “EBRD: Financing Solar Power Plants in Ukraine” took place. The event was attended by more than 80 representatives of Ukrainian developers, associations and consultants.

The workshop was opened with the welcome address by Dr. Elena Borysova, EBRD Program Manager and Dr. Ralf Walther, USELF Local Project Manager.

The following presentation, held by Felix Gudat, Solar power expert, Fichtner Gmbh & Co. KG, was dedicated to the technical and commercial aspects related to the implementation of solar power plants. Detailed information on PV markets and outlooks, overview of PV technologies, yield prediction, quality and defects, site suitability, project participants, key components, plant design, EPC contract, O&M contract, timeline, electricity generation and permits, project screening and due diligence requirements was presented.

On December 1, the 4th USELF Training workshop “EBRD: Financing Wind Power Plants in Ukraine” took place. The event was attended by more than 50 representatives of Ukrainian developers, associations and consultants.

The workshop was opened with the welcome address by Dr. Elena Borysova, EBRD Program Manager and Dr. Ralf Walther, USELF Local Project Manager.

On October 5, the 3rd USELF Training workshop “EBRD: Financing Small Hydropower Plants in Ukraine” took place. The event was attended by 24 representatives of Ukrainian developers, associations and consultants.

The workshop was opened with the welcome address by Dr.Elena Borisova, EBRD Program Manager and Dr. Ralf Walther, USELF Local Project Manager.

The following presentations, held by Dr.Sebastian Palt, Executive Director Hydropower, Fichtner Gmbh & Co. KG, were dedicated to the technical and commercial aspects related to the implementation of small hydropower plants, supported by case studies.

The presentations were highly appreciated by the audience. A wide range of questions related to the problems of renewable projects implementations, especially small hydropower projects, were answered during the discussion that followed.

In Kiev took place the 2nd USELF Training Workshop (Environmental and Social Impact Assessment)

23/06/2011

On June 23, the 2nd USELF Training workshop « Environmental and social assessment (ESIA) of the USELF projects » took place. The event was attended by 25 representatives of Ukrainian developers and consultants.

The 4-hours workshop was opened by Dr Ralf Walther, USELF Project Manager, on the general principles, mechanisms and procedures of the USELF programme.

In Kiev took place the 1st USELF Training Workshop (biomass and biogas)

02/06/2011

On the June 2, the 1st USELF Training workshop «EBRD: Financing projects on power generation from biomass and biogas», was organized in the framework of the 23nd International Agro-Industrial Exhibition – Fair «АGRO - 2011» at the International Exhibition Centre in Kiev. The event was attended by more than 50 representatives of Ukrainian developers and consultants.

The 3-hours workshop was opened by Dr Ralf Walther, USELF Project Manager, on the general principles, mechanisms and procedures of the USELF programme, followed by the presentations made by Joerg Bohlmann, Senior Biomass Expert, Fichtner Gmbh & Co. KG, on technical and commercial aspects related to biomass and biogas projects implementation and Alexey Romanov, USELF Senior Financial Expert, IMEPOWER Consulting, on the specifics of the project cycle, in particular during the application and preliminary screening process, required documents, typical mistakes made by the developers and possible technical assistance of the USEL team during the development of the projects.

After the presentations the participants used the possibility to discuss their views and concerns regarding biomass and biogas projects with USELF international and local experts and other developers and consultants.

On April 5, 2011 the 2nd Workshop was organized in the framework of Ukraine Sustainable Energy Lending Facility (USELF). The event was attended by some 60 representatives of the Ukrainian business, financial and science communities, as well as representatives from regional administrations and European and US embassies and associations.

During several months after launch of the Facility in October 2010, forty applications for USELF financing were submitted by the developers and reviewed by the USELF team. This allowed gathering valuable practical experience, which USELF experts shared with their existing and new partners and companies which are just planning to submit their applications.

The 3-hours workshop was opened with the welcome address and keynote speech by Dr. Sergiy Maslichenko, Principle Business Development Manager for Energy Efficiency and Climate Change, EBRD, followed by the presentations made by Dr. Peter Pintz, USELF Project Director, Fichtner, on the general principles, mechanisms and procedures of USELF and Alexey Romanov, USELF Senior Financial Expert, IMEPOWER Consulting, on the specifics of the project cycle, in particular during the application and preliminary screening process, required documents, typical mistakes made by the developers and other practical aspects.

On the October 26, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has officially launched the Ukraine Sustainable Energy Lending Facility (USELF). The event was attended by some 150 representatives of the Ukrainian business, financial and science communities, as well as media.

Welcome address by Andre Kuusvek, EBRD Country Director was followed by the keynote by Sergiy Titenko (Head of National Electricity Regulatory Commission) addressing the actual developments in the field of the renewable energy in Ukraine as well as its potential in the future. Vladimir Rudenko from the Ministry of Fuel and Energy of Ukraine presented the view of the current situation of this re-sponsible governmental agency.

The EBRD has a great history of financing sustainable energy projects in Central and Eastern Europe. The highlights of this experience were provided by Peter Hobson, Senior Banker at Energy Efficiency & Climate Change Department of EBRD in London.

Finally, Dr. Peter Pintz, head of the USELF implementation team (Fichtner), introduced the audience to the Ukraine Sustainable Energy Lending Facility. He gave an overview of the main advantages and features of the Facility as well as eligibility criteria and project cycle.

The presentations were highly appreciated by the audience. A great number of questions triggered a lively discussion which continued in the informal talks during the reception.